My Harvard Kennedy School Economic Development Journey — From a Female’s Lens
“Two professionals, an Economist and a Brilliant Citizen, catch up to discuss the Economist’s recent educational journey at Harvard Kennedy School.”
Brilliant Citizen: Hello, my Economist, you are looking good and happy!
Economist: Thank you, I certainly am happy.
Brilliant Citizen: You are one of the few that are happy in this hard Nigerian economy and all the global crises. Please share some of the good news, I really need it too.
Economist: I agree there are many things happening to make one sad, but I try to focus on the other good things happening around. For me, one is completing my program with Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in a few days.
Brilliant Citizen: Wow, congratulations. Please where do you find the dollars to do the programs at HKS? (smiling) I remember you did one last year and another earlier.
Economist: Yes, this is my third program with HKS executive education. I started the Leading Economic Growth in 2021, just after having my second baby.
Brilliant Citizen: Wow, you started right after you had a baby? That must have been tough!
Economist: To be honest, I applied without checking the dates of the program. A colleague had mentioned the course on HKS and told me it was online. So, I was like why not!
Brilliant Citizen: When you discovered it was same time as having your baby, did you think to defer?
Economist: First, I was very excited about the admission, I looked at the admission letter a couple of times in amazement. Then, I remember going to the bank to pay the fees with lots of excitement, just after having my baby. Also, I had an amazing support system including my husband and family members.
Brilliant Citizen: You truly need an amazing spouse and support system to pull that off.
Economist: Yes, I certainly had. They rallied around me after childbirth, and I embraced the support. Also, the course was fully online and spread across about 10 weeks.
Brilliant Citizen: So, after the first program, why did you go for a second and a third? Most people are satisfied with one program from Harvard Kennedy School. So, did you really need to?
Economist: Well, why stop at one, when you can have more (smiling). From the onset, I decided I was going to do three programs that qualify me for Executive Certification in Economic Development. Also, the first program was so good, I certainly wanted more.
Brilliant Citizen: Interesting, I like the sound of that! So how were you able to combine the baby, family, work and continuing the programs?
Economist: That’s a good question, few weeks after the first program, I was fully back at work. It’s one thing to do a program when you are on maternity, it is another to do when you are back to work with a young baby. So, I decided to do one program in a year, the second program — Leading Smart Policy Designs — was about a year after the first. I was intentional about spacing it. I was already back to delivering value at work when I started the second. Also, it was fully online with limited physical disruptions.
Brilliant Citizen: Interesting, that makes sense. I like the idea of spacing them. Let’s move to the third one! You are about completing the third program, tell me more about it.
Economist: Yes, I started the third program — Implementing Public Policy — earlier this year. It is my longest program — about seven months. So, I could do this as I was more settled at work, I had gotten a promotion that helped me switch more to Economic Growth. Also, it was hybrid… so I got a chance…
Brilliant Citizen: (cuts in) Hold on, tell us more about this promotion. I thought they said, “nursing mums don’t get promotions until years later”?
Economist: Ha, that is not true. A woman that has shown value before going on maternity leave and returns to work still showing the value and even more should be promoted! There should be no discrimination against her. I am glad I work for a top international firm with amazing leadership. Hence, it was not difficult asking for a promotion after returning from maternity leave.
Brilliant Citizen: I love it! Now you can continue. I did not want you to skip that part. So, you were talking about hybrid.
Economist: Yes, this final course — Implementing Public Policy was hybrid. Hence, I got a chance to visit and tour the popular Harvard. It was a remarkable experience. It made me wish I had done it earlier. But in foresight, I may not have been able to afford it — time and perhaps finances.
Brilliant Citizen: Wow, being there must have been an amazing experience. When I grow up, I want to be like you!!!
At Harvard Kennedy School during the in-person session for the Implementing Public Policy Program
Economist: Thank you, indeed it was a remarkably interesting and very practical one. With a focus on implementing policy, each participant selected a policy challenge, related to our everyday work. I focused on what I have been working on through my foundation (BeyondaDegree) for almost a decade — Reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria.
Brilliant Citizen: Wow that sounds interesting. On a final note, tell me one thing that stood out for you from the program?
Economist: It is extremely difficult to pick one thing. Let us make it three or more please.
Brilliant Citizen: Ok, share three.
Economist: Firstly, the tutors were excellent; highly experienced with lots of practical learnings on public policy implementation. Secondly, I love that it was hybrid, so we got a chance to connect with one another at the HKS campus, which was an amazing experience as I have developed some lifetime relationships.
Lastly, we will be joining the Community of Practice after graduation; it will be great to continue to learn from other PDIA practitioners; share challenges as well as success stories. Together, we will continue to play our part in solving complex and impactful problems!
Brilliant Citizen: Great, now I am considering applying for one of the HKS programs.
Economist: Why not! Please proceed if it aligns with your career goals.
Brilliant Citizen: It has been great listening to how you navigated your HKS programs. Thank you for sharing. Truly there are no limits for women in the workplace, it is possible to navigate and thrive in the workplace and family while developing oneself.
Economist: Glad, you found it insightful!
